THE

UPPER VALLEY HOCKEY LEAGUE

Whalers
Gamblers
1st
0
1
2rd
1
2
3rd
0
0
FINAL
1
3
Shots
25
29
October 23rd, 2024 - 7:55PM
WABA - White River Junction, VT
Pre-Game
Recap
Box Score
Discussion
Game ID: 1553

Gamblers & Whalers Clash in UVHL Classic

Game #82 in the Whalers / Gamblers history book.  The Gamblers have more or less owned the Whalers over the last 20 years, taking 61 out of 81 matches(75.3%).  Their fearless leader/GM/Coach/Captain/Therapist/Masseuse, Will "The Thrill" Meyer, has not only brought back the core of the Whalen Cup Championship team from last year, but he's also added a pair of players to strengthen their squad in Matti "Hart Trophy" Hartman and Aaron Damren.  

Their most important player, Evan "Primetime" Cline, is back between the pipes and despite all of the accolades and celebrity he gained from last season, he hasn't lost a step.  Many thought that his poor performance over the summer in the Quechee Pizza Chef mini golf league would affect his confidence, but after tonight's 24 save, 1 goal allowed performance...those rumors are quashed.  

Cline was outstanding, so was the top line of Topo "Thing 1" LaCroix, Max Woods & Ryan "Thing 2" LaCroix who wreaked havoc on the Whaler's defense, scoring all 3 of their goals on forced turnovers.  Woods set up all 3 goals for Ryan LaCroix while Topo added a pair of apples.

The Gambler's got things rolling just 100 seconds into the game when Whaler's GM/Captain Dan "The Man" VeNard came out from behind his net, threw a pizza up the middle that Woods knocked out of the air.  "Thing 1" got the puck to "Thing 2" in front of the net for a tap in past the Whaler's Jered "The Conman" Condon.  The goal was not on Condon who's nickname stems from him robbing the Gamblers on 5-6 opportunities through the game.  Maybe we'll just call him the "Hamburgler" as he loves hamburgers too.

A pair of huge saves by both goaltenders followed the only goal of the period.  Condon had to make a quick leg save on Meyer from the right side, followed by a diving save on Damren off the rebound.  His counterpart, Cline came up huge a few minutes later, sliding across his crease right to left to rob Nate "Baskin'" Robinson on the backdoor.  

END OF THE FIRST PERIOD:  
Gamblers 1, Whalers 0
SHOTS: Gamblers 9, Whalers 10

Both teams traded chances early on in the second when Woods again picked a shitty pass out of the air, this time from Scotty "The Pizzaman" Christian.  Woods then found "Thing 2" LaCroix all alone in the slot, as the Whaler's Dan "The Feline" Fenton, was caught napping and missed his assignemnt.  "Thing 2" took the perfect pass from below the goal line and beat Condon along the ice.  63 seconds later, Fenton redeemed himself by moving a puck up ice to James "Big Games" McCormick who went one-on-one with the Gambler's Zach "The Tinder Swindler" Aher.  McCormick entered the Gambler's zone and cut left to right on his forehand.  Aher's defensive game mimics his dating game, passive, as he let McCormick enter the zone and use him as a screen from inside the right faceoff dot.  Despite the screen, it was a goal that Cline would want back as it squeeked through his pads to cut the Gambler's lead to 1 goal.

Both teams traded scoring chances late in the period, with Condon diving across the crease again, this time on Matty "The Milkman" Marrazzo, followed by VeNard dangling through the Gambler's defense and putting a tough backhander on Cline.

With the 2nd period closing out, a last rush by Scotty Christian, turned into a turnover caused by "Thing 1", the puck made it to Woods to hit "Thing 2" entering the zone.  "Thing 2" faked a shot to get the defender to back off, before cutting to the left a bit and letting a quick wrister go from the tops of the circles.  The quick shot surprised Condon who wishes he could get a redo on that one as he was beat top shelf glove side with just 12 seconds to go in the 2nd.

END OF THE SECOND PERIOD:  
Gamblers 3, Whalers 1
SHOTS: Gamblers 17, Whalers 15

No goals were scored in the third, but there was plenty of action.  Christian and Ezra "The Walk" Mock both hit posts on Cline and Condon shut down a 2 on 0 with Woods & Topo LaCroix to keep the game close.  


Overall it was a great game for both teams and the rematch on December 4th should be fire!

FINAL 
Gamblers 3, Whalers 1
SHOTS: Gamblers 26, Whalers 23

LEAGUE PICK 'EM
 0%
Whalers
0% 
Gamblers
0 PICKS
THREE STARS

Ryan LaCroix

GOALS: 3
POINTS: 3

Evan Cline

GA: 1
SAVES: 24
SAVE%: 0.96

Max Woods

GOALS: 0
POINTS: 3

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